The decision stunned even its
leaders. During their model parliament held last April in the Gaza Strip,
Palestinian women's rights activists first recommended that laws be enacted to
restrain and regulate polygamy; that it be allowed only in exceptional cases and
with the first wife being offered a divorce. But after the 126 "delegates"
confirmed the vote, they dramatically invalidated the decision.

Mansiya, a pseudonym that means
‘the forgotten’, is a university student aged 22. She was born in the north of
Israel and lives today in the center of the country. She writes about what it’s
like to be an Arab lesbian.

Many claim that there’s no
difference between a Jewish and an Arab lesbian, because for both it demands
courage and lots of openness. In my opinion, there’s a difference between the
two experiences because Israeli society is composed of a majority and a
minority.

Miftah is a Palestinian, Jerusalem-based, independent institution committed to fostering the principles of democracy and effective dialogue based on the free and candid exchange of information and ideas.